Vietnamese Inspired Honey Garlic Tofu_resized

Vietnamese-Inspired Honey Garlic Tofu (Air Fried)

Ingredients

  • 14 oz extra firm tofu
  • 1 Tablespoon rice flour
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon regular paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil
  • 5 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
  • Sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons honey
  • 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons water
  • 1-2 teaspoons chili paste
  • 1 lime
  • 1 Tablespoon cilantro

Instructions

  1. Press tofu for at least 15 minutes as directed below:
  2. Fold paper towel in half and place on plate. Set tofu on top of covered plate followed by another folded paper towel. Place heavy item on top to press out tofu for at least 15 minutes. Use a cast iron pan or Dutch oven as weight.
  3. Stand up tofu and halve into two equal squares. Lay down tofu and slice each piece in half (should now have four rectangles).
  4. In medium size bowl combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.
  5. Gently coat each piece of tofu with mixture making sure to also coat ends.
  6. Lightly spray air fryer with cooking spray. Preheat at 370° F. Air fry 20 minutes, carefully flip each piece after 10 minutes for even cooking.
  7. While tofu is cooking, heat 1 tsp oil in small saucepan on medium heat. Add a few garlic bits into pan. Once oil sizzles with garlic add all of garlic and stir frequently until garlic turns toasty light brown. Remove from heat and drain toasted garlic on paper towel.
  8. Once tofu is cooked, set close by on plate and add honey, fish sauce, water, and chili paste in small saucepan. Heat sauce on medium high and reduce sauce over five minutes stirring often. Sauce should be bubbling. Stir toasted garlic into sauce. Carefully drop one piece of tofu at a time in pan and coat both sides with sauce (I flip tofu twice). Once coated set on serving plate. Repeat with remaining three tofu pieces. Enjoy warm with lime wedge spritz and top with chopped cilantro.
  9. Tofu serves as a perfect protein in this dish; the garlic honey sauce caramelizes nicely and compliments the pillowy tofu texture. Recommend serving with Vietnamese Slaw or cucumber salad.